RIVERS CRISIS DEEPENS AS LAWMAKERS PUSH FUBARA IMPEACHMENT

The political crisis in Rivers State intensified on Wednesday as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly voted to press ahead with impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, despite a court order directing them to halt the process.

The lawmakers, who are largely aligned with forces opposed to the governor, cited what they described as “persistent hostility” and “breakdown of trust” between the executive and the legislature as justification for continuing the impeachment move.

The decision followed a heated plenary session in which the Assembly resolved to disregard an earlier injunction issued by a state High Court restraining it from taking further steps on the impeachment process pending the determination of a substantive suit.

According to the lawmakers, the alleged actions of Governor Fubara amounted to interference in legislative affairs and posed a threat to the independence of the Assembly. They argued that the impeachment process was constitutional and necessary to protect democratic institutions in the state.

The development has further deepened the political standoff that has gripped Rivers State for months, stemming from a power struggle within the state’s political structure following the fallout between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Governor Fubara’s camp has consistently maintained that the impeachment process is politically motivated and illegal, insisting that the court order must be obeyed. Allies of the governor warned that defying the judiciary could plunge the state into a deeper constitutional crisis.

Legal experts and civil society groups have also expressed concern, cautioning that the Assembly’s action could undermine the rule of law and destabilise governance in the oil-rich state.

As tensions rise, residents and political stakeholders are increasingly worried about the impact of the crisis on governance, security, and development in Rivers State. Efforts by traditional rulers and other mediators to broker peace have so far failed to produce a breakthrough.

All eyes are now on the judiciary and national political leaders as the impeachment drama continues to unfold, with the possibility of further legal and political confrontations in the coming days.